Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’: Risky gamble or bold experiment

Asake, the Nigerian Afrobeats sensation who stormed the music scene with his Fuji-infused beats and Amapiano rhythms, has taken a daring leap with his third album, “Lungu Boy.”

From ‘Omo pe,’ his first EP, to ‘Organise’ on his first studio album, to ‘Lonely at the top’ on his sophomore album, his lead singles have followed a consistent pattern.

The new album, a departure from his previous work, is a bold experiment in sound, featuring collaborations with international stars and production from renowned Nigerian music producers Sarz and P.Priime, who produced 12 out of 15 songs from the “Lungu Boy.”

Read also: Asake’s “Active” showcases enduring appeal of “Ma Jo Fine Girl”

The strategy is clear: expand Asake’s global reach and introduce his music to a wider audience. With high-profile features like Travis Scott, Central CEE, Brazilian singer-songwriter Ludmilla and Stormzy, and the backing of international distributor Empire, the potential for massive success seemed undeniable. However, just a week after its release, the album’s performance is raising eyebrows.

While ‘Lungu Boy’ initially broke Spotify records with over 5.8 million streams on its first day, surpassing Davido’s ‘Timeless’, the numbers have since dropped significantly.

Songs like ‘MMS’ featuring Wizkid and ‘Active’ with Travis Scott have garnered critical acclaim and strong initial streams, but overall, the album’s performance has been somewhat underwhelming.

According to Spotify Stat on X, the album’s total streaming numbers dropped to 3.8 million on Spotify on its fifth day. ‘MMS’ recorded the biggest opening day streams on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 870,577. This broke Wizkid’s previous record of 626,000 streams with ‘IDG’. On the fifth day, the song’s streaming numbers dropped to 460,579 streams.

The standout track ‘ Active ‘ is a bright spot in the album’s performance. The song has amassed over 935,000 streams in just five days, driven largely by the inclusion of American rap superstar Travis Scott. His worldwide fan base has undoubtedly contributed significantly to the track’s popularity.

Read also: Afrobeats artists with international sold-out shows

Additionally, the song’s incorporation of a sample from Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde’s classic ‘Merenge,’ featuring the iconic line “Ma Jo Fine Boy,” has resonated with listeners, adding another layer of appeal.

Everyone is asking: Is this a temporary slump or a sign of trouble? Music experts believe Asake’s decision to experiment with new sounds might be a factor. While the album boasts impressive production and features, some critics argue that the songwriting and execution fall short of Asake’s previous standards.

Motolani Alake, a Nigerian music expert, said all the songs on the album had the right ideas, but the execution seemed out of place on most of them. He blamed this mostly on the Artist and Repertoire (A&R), who are responsible for working closely with the artists during the recording process and selecting the best songs or artists’ collaborations for a particular body of work.

“Asake was letting the beat breathe on this album. That’s where I knew something was up,” Alake said.

According to Alake, the artist’s signature energy, which has been instrumental to his success, seems somewhat tuned down in this new sonic territory. This could be evident in previous songs like ‘Lonely at the Top’, ‘Nzonzo’, ‘Dull’, and ‘Yoga’, which have a slower tempo but a different feel.

On the other hand, some see “Lungu Boy” as a bold step forward for Afrobeats. By venturing into uncharted musical waters, Asake is challenging the genre’s boundaries and pushing the envelope for future artists.

On songs like ‘My Heart,’ Asake taps into Latino sounds, exploring his range and versatility. On his X handle, Joey Akan, a Nigerian music journalist, called the song “emotional creativity.” While on ‘Uhh Yeahh,’ Sarz fuses energetic House rhythms with classic Afrobeats percussion, providing the perfect backdrop for Asake’s vibrant Yoruba vocals.

Read also: Asake’s Lungu Boy: Taps the beats of Sarz, P.Priime for diaspora crossover

Ultimately, the success of ‘Lungu Boy’ will be determined in the long run. While the initial numbers may be disappointing, it is too early to write off the album entirely. With time, it may find its audience and solidify Asake’s position as a versatile and innovative artist.

However, the album’s performance does raise important questions about the balance between artistic experimentation and commercial viability in the highly competitive music industry.